Fairs have always been a part of rural India.They fill a social and economic need.Even today, most rural Click Here to see state wise Fair List.
January/ February
Nagur Fair-Nagpur, Rajasthan
A trading fair for cattle and camels.It is a wonderful opportunity to catch up on rural life, as owners from all over the state come to camp on the outskirts of Nagaur while they buy and sell animals.The hides of the animals, cut into beautiful patterns,are particularly interesting.
Gangasagar Mela -Gangasagar, West Bengal
Near the mouth of the river Gangas in the state of West Bengal is the island of Gangasagar where the Gangas meets the Bay of Bengal.Every year in January, a Mela is held here on Makar Sankranti.It is attended by a large number of pilgrims from all over India.The island is dedicated to the sage Kapila.
Baneshwar Fair:- Baneshwar ,Rajasthan
Towards the full moon night during the month of January -February, thousands of people of the Bhil tribe congregate at the junction of two rivers, Som and Mahi in rajasthan.They immerse the ashes of their relatives who have died during that year,as a memorial service.After that , they bathe in the river to cleans themselvas and then worship at the temple where Lord Shiva is deified.In India, more than 400 tribes live in various regions.The Bhils live mainly in the mountains near the boundaries of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.They all are serious Hindus and belive that they are the descendants of Shiva.
The Goa Carnival- Goa
This exuberant carnival is held for a week every year in Goa, just before Lent.All of Panaji goes wild for that period and it is a time of feasting and fun, of dances, balls and parades.with the main parade, the festival gets off to a spectacular start and the fun-loving Goans make the most of their carnival before setting down to the solemnity of lent.
April/ May
Urs ,Ajmer Sharif- Ajmer, Rajasthan
Every year, Ajmer prepares for its festival-the Urs of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, a Sufi saint.The Urs, commemorating the symbolic union of the saint with God, is an occasion for celebration.Thousands of pilgrims arrive to pray at the dargah(tomb) of the saint.
Sonepur Fair:- Sonepur ,Bihar
At the time of the Kartik Purnima, cattle fairs are held at Sonepur, in Bihar and also at Bateshwar and Mukteshwar in the state of Uttar Pradesh.One of the largest cattle fairs in the country is held at Sonepur.At this month- long fair,there is a lot trade in cattle.Cows and oxen are coloured bright shades of red ,yellow and purple.Their horns are gildes.The sounds of their bells and the trumpeting of elephants add to the glamour of the fair.
July/ August
Gangaur Fair :- All over Rajasthan , especially Jaipur, Udaipur and Mandwa.
Idols of Isar and Gouri, manifestations of Shiva and Parvati are worshiped by women., particularly unmarried ones, who pray for a husband of the likes of Shiva.Celabrated all over Rajasthan, it has women talking out processions through the streets of carrying images of the divine couple.The festival is especially colourful in Jaipur, Udaipur, and at Mandwa in the Shekhawati region.
Tarnetar Mela:- Tarnetar, Saurashtra
This unusaul mela is held annually at Tarnetar.The fair turns into a kind of marriage market for the local tribes- the Kolis.this festival is also famous for its folk dances- the traditional Gujarati garba, ras and haro.
October / November
Pushkar Fair:- Pushkhar, Rajsthan
One of the best known of India's numerous fairs is the Pushkar Mela in Rajasthan.In the month of Kartik (October/ November) every year, large crowds converge to worship at the Brahma temple at Pushkar and to trade in camels and cattle, attended by Rajputs from miles around.Camel races and acrobatics are a treat for the media lensmen, foreign tourists, etc.
